Jerome “Jerry” Dahlke
Jerome F. “Jerry” Dahlke, 91, Athens, formerly of Loyal, passed away on Wednesday, April 19, 2023, at Pine Crest Rehab Center in Merrill, under the care of Aspirus Hospice. Funeral services were held at 11 a.m. on Monday, April 24, 2023, at St. Anthony Catholic Church in Loyal. Rev. Emmanuel Famiyeh officiated, and burial followed in St. Anthony Catholic Cemetery. Pallbearers were his grandsons: Evan White, Luke Werner, Mark Werner, Grant Dahlke, Mitchell Dahlke, David McMullen, Timothy McMullen and Christopher White. Military rites were conducted by the Loyal American Legion Post 175. Visitation was held at the church, on Monday, from 9:30 a.m. until the time of the service.
Jerome Francis Dahlke was born at the family home in the town of Lisbon, Waukesha County, on March 11, 1932. He graduated from Waukesha High School in 1950. After completing high school, Jerry worked in the dairy industry, until being inducted into the U.S. Army on March 14, 1952. He served during the Korean conflict until his honorable discharge on Dec. 17, 1953. He was united in marriage to Janice O. Holzem on June 19, 1954, at St. Anthony Catholic Church in Menomonee Falls. Jerry continued his dairy career, eventually buying his own Golden Guernsey distributorship in Hartland. After selling his dairy route in the mid-70s, they built JD’s Restaurant & Motel in the northern Wisconsin town of Winchester. After retiring, they moved to Brownsville, Texas, then to the town of Loyal, and now resided close to family in Merrill.
Jerry is survived by his loving wife, Janice, of Athens; four children: Jean White of Fond du Lac, Judy (Dave) McMullen of Andover, Minn., John (Kathy) Dahlke and Joe (Dorly) Dahlke, both of Merrill; 14 grandchildren; seven step-grandchildren; many great-grand and step great-grandchildren; one brother: Fred (Ruth) Dahlke of Menomonee Falls; nieces, nephews, and other relatives and friends.
He was preceded in death his parents; one daughter, Jackie Werner on April 19, 2021; two sons-in-law: Daniel White and Lawrence “Butch” Werner; and two sisters: Marge Smatlak and Mary Hilger.
The family would like to thank the staff at Pine Crest Rehab Center and Aspirus Hospice for their compassionate care given to Jerry, and also to Dorothy from St. Matthew’s in Wausau for her spiritual care shown to him.
Online condolences may be expressed at www.cuddiefh.com. Cuddie Funeral Home, Loyal, is assisting the family with arrangements.
PAID OBITUARY 135543
